CRICKET: Grantham 2nd snatch victory on last ball

Cricket

South Lincs & Border League

Premier Division

Long Sutton 210-8

Grantham 211-8

Grantham travelled to Long Sutton in search of a much needed victory. Soon after winning the toss and deciding to bowl, it appeared the visitors had misread the pitch. Long Sutton raced to 129-1 after 30 overs, with the help from some questionable decisions from the umpires.

The mainstay was P Barnes with 87. However, an excellent spell from Phil Abbott, that included four wickets and some good catches, saw Long Sutton fall away towards the end, a par score for the day.

Grantham went into their innings with momentum and started like a tracer bullet. A quick 15 for Stew Mudie, an even quicker 39 for James Cameron-Clarke, and an effortless 60 for Martin Parmley saw Grantham reach 140-2, leaving them 71 in the last 14 overs.

What had been a bad tempered game from the start was boiling up nicely. The pressure was too much for the middle as wickets started to tumble.

With 27 needed from the last five overs and only two wickets in hand it fell to Joe Farmer, who never looked in doubt as he stroked a comfortable 19no to guide his side home with one wicket and one ball to spare.